Seoul: Time to push for nuclear talks without North Korea

SEOUL, South Korea – South Korea's president has questioned the role of long-dormant North Korean nuclear disarmament talks and says it is time that regional powers meet without the North.

The so-called six-nation talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear program in return for aid remain stalled since December 2008. Pyongyang has since conducted three nuclear tests, including one on Jan. 6.

The six countries are the two Koreas, the U.S., China, Russia and Japan.

President Park Geun-hye said Friday that it is time to push for a five-nation meeting without North Korea but did not offer specifics.

She urges China, the North's last major ally, to try to make North Korea follow in Iran's footsteps.

Teheran last year agreed to curb its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions.